But chamber President Troy McLellan, pictured, is ready to move beyond the campaign, which became negative in the final days. He spoke with Anthony Majhess and left a voicemail for Constance Scott today to congratulate them on their victories.

Majhess won Seat D over Arts, the sitting councilman. Scott bested Fogel for Seat C, which was left open by outgoing Councilman Bill Hager.

"I wanted to personally congratulate them on their victory," McLellan said. "We're looking forward to working with them in the best possible way we can so we can keep Boca moving forward in a positive direction."

McLellan said he is ready to turn the page on the campaign. The chamber's political arm, BLU-PAC, late last week issued a news release questioning why Majhess, a firefighter and paramedic, could not be rehired with the city and why Scott applied for unemployment benefits after leaving her job as city spokeswoman in 2003.

"We're ready to move on and move forward," McLellan said. "It's March 11."

McLellan said he plans to attend Majhess and Scott's swearing-in ceremony on March 31. Majhess said he plans to work with McLellan and the chamber.

"The city is very reliant on the business community and we definitely need a healthy, vibrant business community," Majhess said. "I want to use every tool and relationship available to me to make Boca Raton a great place to live."

Scott was cooler to McLellan's post-partisan overture. She said she heard McLellan's voicemail but hasn't returned his call yet. She said she plans to talk to him about the negative campaigning.

"I feel very strongly that negative campaigning hurts the process," she said. "It discourages people from participating in the process and becoming candidates. If we discourage people from getting involved, I think the whole community suffers. I'm just not a proponent of negative campaigning."

Comments

if mrs scott has such ill will towards the chamber, why did she ask for their endorsement? she needs to remember that over 90% of the chamber members are small business owners and we are a vital part of the quality of life in this community. the rest of the council understands this and i hope mrs scott does not overlook that..

MS Scott has ill will towards the Chamber only as a result of their antics during the campaign. Mud slinging is a trate she did not expect, boy was she surprised that they would do anything to win. He dislike was developed during the campaign. She was naive enoght to think the Chamber was open minded. they never were and until the open their eyes they will not be trusted by anyone

i do not know which is worse, your spelling or your delusions of how the real world works. if property values are down then revenue from taxes will be down. if the business community does not bring in the revenue,the "homeowners" who spoke so loudly against business will have a very easy time balancing the budget because there will be alot less to work with. Ms. scott is now on the clock, do not waste the time gloating.

Agreed, it is the few members of the chamber(primarily developers & their attorneys) who this reisdent has the accurate percption as being the main engine behind the chamber's political endorsement machine---not the small business owners who provide stable jobs within our community. Just look at the main donors to the Fogel and Arts campaigns and you can see who runs the chamber's politial machine---it is not the typical small business owner.

To those criticizing the losing candidates, and the Chamber, get a life.....and fast. You are cowards. It's so easy to jump on people and the Chamber anonymously. Try doing something positive for a change, rather than sitting at a computer and attacking people and groups that try to help. You clearly have not bothered to step up and try to help; people who do would not write such tripe. How about getting off your couch and contributing to society, instead dragging it down. Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.

Soon the failing SunSentinel will be out of business and the Mary(from behind bars)Susie,Dave,Bill, and Mr. Blackops Jack wacky power grab show will no longer have this dishonest media outlet. Carol and Ester must be smiling to see more angry potential do nothings get elected . Hopefully Susie will tell them all to stop attacking anyone that actually brings sustainable progress to this fine CIty.Good luck..bring at least one non union job will ya?

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About the authors

MARIA HERRERA has covered local government, immigration and Hispanic affairs, and growth and development in Florida since 2004. Maria joined the Sun Sentinel in 2006 to cover the city of Delray Beach and nearby unincorporated areas. She has worked at the Miami Herald and the Daytona Beach News-Journal. Maria was born in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to South Florida in 1993.

ANTHONY MAN is the Sun Sentinel’s political writer. Concentrating on local political people, parties and trends, he also covers state and national politics from a South Florida perspective. Before moving to politics full time, he covered politics and Palm Beach County government for the Sun-Sentinel, including touch-screen voting and the Supervisor of Elections Office. He's also covered municipal, county, state, and federal elections and made repeated reporting trips to Tallahassee. He joined the Sun-Sentinel in 2002 after covering state and local politics in Illinois. Like so many others in South Florida, he's originally from a New York suburb (Rockland County).

REBEKAH MONSON covers Boca Raton and West Boca. She has worked at the Sun Sentinel since 2005. Rebekah grew up in rural Alabama and graduated with a journalism degree from Louisiana State University in 2003.Follow @rebekahmonson

ANDY REID
has covered government, growth and development, and environmental issues in Florida since 1996. He joined the Sun Sentinel in 2005 and covers Palm Beach County government, with an emphasis on growth and development, as well as South Florida water management issues. He previously worked at the Tampa Tribune, Stuart News and the News Chief in Winter Haven. A native of Tampa, Reid graduated from Florida State University where he majored in communications. He is a father of three and lives with his wife, Jennifer, in Royal Palm Beach.Follow @abreidnews

ERIKA PESANTES has covered crime and breaking news as well as the city of Boynton Beach and West Boynton since joining the Sun Sentinel in June 2006. She has previously worked at Florida Today and The Miami Herald where she’s covered local governments since 2003. Pesantes is a Miami native and a graduate of Florida International University.